Elzbieta J. Osiak
	Artist	My artistic interests are mainly in the abstract and figural painting in oil and acrylic media. Working as a painting conservator with paintings from different periods and schools strongly influenced my art. I'm deeply in love with religious art, especially medieval temperas, Eastern European icons and masterpieces of Art Nouveau. My fascination with these periods and styles is reflected in the motifs of my paintings, as well as the frequent use of bright colors, gold or brass leaf and golden paint. Colors and their interactions are the main subject of my abstract paintings. Through my decorative paintings I wish to bring peaceful feelings to the viewers. The direct inspiration for my abstract painting is nature, the changing of colors in different light, the seasonal changes. I also see my abstract paintings as a reflection of my internal states, which change and evolve as I mature as an artist, and grow as a person searching for inner peace and new ways of relating to others. My figural and landscape paintings represent unreal worlds full of		colors and light. This world is filled with images of real places mixed with landscapes from many old paintings and inhabited by creatures from old legends and fairy tales. I also transfer my fascination with theater, ballet, and music to my canvases by giving my figures theatrical costume, makeup and pose. I often follow the old masters' techniques, which I learned during my studies at the Department of Conservation of Works of Art at the National Academy of Fine Arts in Warsaw, Poland. To create the rich texture of the paint layer and unique colors, I use an elaborate glazing technique. In this technique, layers of gesso, paint and other media form a translucent-reflective structure, which allows the light to penetrate inside the painting, and after reflecting from the deep layers, brings out the fascinating colors. People frequently share with me that my paintings make them feel happy. I regard this as the most gratifying compliment. I see my own art as a search for harmony of colors and forms which helps to get in touch with the happy side of the soul.